Sidetaker website lets internet commenters solve relationship rows

Rowing couples who refuse to back down during arguments are taking advantage
of a new website that lets the internet decide who is in the right.

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By Matthew Moore

1:23PM BST 09 Sep 2008

Sidetaker.com allows both members of a relationship to post articles giving their side of a dispute.

Readers then vote on who has more right to be angry, and can even offer advice on how the row can be solved.

The anonymity of the web encourages couples to be candid about their feelings and ensures the judging public is impartial, the creators of the site claim. This "mob justice" element has led to comparisons with TV shows like Jerry Springer and Jeremy Kyle.

Sidetaker, which has the slogan “Let the world decide who’s at fault”, only launched last week but has already attracted dozens of bickering couples and hundreds of helpful commenters.

The subjects of the disputes vary immensely, from the light hearted (His Unemployed Ass Drives The Newer Car), to the deadly serious (She Destroyed Me After 3 Years Together).

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The most discussed row currently on the website involves a husband who refuses to flush the toilet, turn on the heating or light more than one room at a time in order to save money.

“My kids and I aren't even comfortable living here,” writes his wife, who gives herself the ominous moniker DivorceBound.

Her husband’s response - “I'm trying to save for the future and our retirement. She'll understand one day" – does not impress the majority of the commenters, one of whom writes: “You sir are truly unbelievable. This isn't even a fight. It's a way of life that needs to change.”

Rows remain posted on the website for up to 60 days, after which the votes are tallied and the couple is informed who was in the right after all. Anyone wanting to get their dispute on their site can upload their side of the story, after which their lover is alerted by email to offer a response.

Although the site attracts a lot of tongue-in-cheek comments, the people behind Sidetaker say it serves a serious purpose.

“Over 50 per cent of American marriages end in divorce. In a fight, each person has their side and are usually backed by their friends (on either side),” they wrote.

“When you can create a jury of anonymous peers to decide who is right or wrong in an argument, then the bias is gone and the person at fault will just have to suck it up.”

They added: “Even the smallest of fights can turn into major problems in a relationship. If you think you're right and your significant other disagrees, let the people decide.”